Stopper rod assembly



June 5, 1951 s. clEsLAK 2.556.152

STOPPER ROD ASSEMBLY Filed April 27, 194e z shuts-snm 1 fpf@ @@1605 f M 2 Q3 l@ Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES eTtNT OFFICE STOPPER ROD ASSEMBLY Stephen Cieslak, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 27, 1948, Serial No. 23,463

(Cl. 22e-85) 5 Claims. l

This invention relates to a ladle stopper and more specifically it relates to a stopper rod assem* bly for regulating `the discharge of molten metal through the discharge orice of the ladle containing the molten metal. The type of stopper rod assembly with which the present invention is concerned is generally utilized with a metallurgical ladle used for pouring metal into ingot molds. A ladle of this type is generally carried by a crane above the ingot molds. The bottom of the ladle usually has a discharge orifice through which the molten metal may iiow and a stopper rod assembly is provided for the purpose of regulating the low of metal through the discharge oriilce. The stopper rod assembly is generally enclosed within a plurality'of refractory sleeves Which have adjoining ends securely cemented together. The lower-end of the stopper rod is provided with a graphite plug or head which is adapted to mate with the discharge `criilce for opening and closing the same. The upper end of .the stopper rod is generally connected to an operating arml` which may be actuated by an operator spaced a distance away from the ladle. Thus as the ladle is moved over the ingot molds, the operator operates the stopper rod assembly .for pouring predetermined amounts of metal from the ladle. The stopper rods are generally subjected toV a steel bath having a heat of 26Go to 3200 F. In order for the assembly to resist this heat it is'necessary to make the plug or head of the stopper rod out of graphite, the reiractories themselves generally being made'of a re clay.

The steel industry has experienced many diiiiculties with the present type oi stopper rods. it can readily be seen that the stopper rod assemblies are subjected to an unusual heat condition and that they are more or less rapidly destroyed. The destruction generally takes place at the lower end of the rod near the plug or head thereof. One of the contributing reasons for this is the fact that the strains and stresses resulting from the weight of the many refractories and the pressure thereof by` the molten metal in many instances causes a break-down cf the graphite head of the assembly. When this occurs the molten metal, of course, can readily reach the stopper rod itself and resultant destruction thereof quickly takes place. The disastrous result of such a destruction can readily be seen, since upon the breakage of the rod and head, the orice and the ladle cannot be plugged and the operator therefore is unable to control the now of metal. Generally, the only alternative is to rapidly move the ladle over the Vingot molds to be iilled, with. an` attempt to reduce the amount of spillage resulting from the lack `of control over the discharge orifice.

Numerous types of stopper rod assemblies have been designed with the purpose of nding a solution for this very undesirable condition. Despite improvements, however, it is considered a fortunate and satisfactory result when one of the stopper rod assemblies stands up under a complete pouring operation. The stopper rods are removed from the ladle after pouring has `been completed and they are thereupon completely rebuilt. New refractory sleeves and graphite plugs or heads must be provided. The operating rod itself, however, may be used again. In order for the operating rod to carry the unusual loads resulting from the weight of the refractory sleeves, the rods used are generally provided with a shoulder or ledge, which projects outwardly from the ends oi the rod and provides a support for the refractories. Such a construction is shown in the Sage Patent 2,296,959. ln this manner the main load from the refractories is carried on the rod proper. The plug or head is thereupon fastened to the rod by ,means of a smaller rod or pin which is secured to the head and is vthen placed into mating engagementwith a vertical bore provided in the lower end of the rod. Under the present practice the stopper rod assemblies are usually returned after use to the blacksmith shop where they are disassembled. In the greater portion of instances, it is found that the lower ledge or shoulder of the rod has been eaten away by the molten metal. Therefore, in order to make such rod usable again,` it is lirst necessary to form alshoulder or ledge on the lower end of the rod. The present practice is to initially cut ofi the deformed end of the lower rod. A short section of metal is then machined to the diameter of the rod leaving a ledge or shoulder on the short section. This short section of rod is thereupon joined to the main section of the operating rod by means of forge welding or other welding processes. lt can readily be seen that it would be impractical Y to attempt to machine an operating rod of this type since the rod may be anywhere from l5 to 20 feet long. During the machining of the short section of the rod, it is also necessary to again drill a vertical bore into this section in order to provide for the subsequent mating engageu ment with the pin. Since many pourlngs may be made daily, and since a new rod assembly is required each time, it should therefore be clearly apparent thatthe expense of rebuilding ythe lower` ends of the rods is quite considerable.' The machining operations attending the preparation of the short section and the welding of the same to the main section of the `rod is obviously an expensive operation.

It is applicants prime object, therefore, to Vprovide a novel stopper rod assembly, said rod being usable for a number of pourings without the necessity of expensive rebuilding operations.

Still another object is to provide a stopper rod assembly having an improved construction for positively securing a stopper head and lower refractory tothe operating rod assembly.

AV still further object is to provide a stopper rod having bearing means constructed and arranged to support a plurality of refractories on said rod in a positive manner. f Y

Still another object is to provide a stopper rod having pins projecting laterally outwardly at the lower endsl of the rods, said pins being in engagement with annular bearing members in abutment with a lower refractory for the purpose of carrying the weight of a plurality of said refractories on the rod.

A'still further object is to provide an improved stopper rod assembly, said rod being re-usable a number of times without the necessity of expensive machining or welding operations.

till another object is to provide an improved stopper rod head, said head including an imperforate or solid bottom and an improved means for connecting the head to the rod.

Another object is to provide a stopper head for a ladle operating rod assembly, said head including an imperforate or solid rounded bottom and having a bore provided with a pair of opposed'recesses, said recesses providing means whereby a rod having projecting pins maybe inserted into said head and thereupon rotated, whereby the pins engage undercut shoulder portions of the head thereby securing the head to the rod.

These and other objects will become more clearly apparent from a reading of the description when examined in connection withV the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a sectional View in elevation through a stopper rod assembly and a portion of a ladle;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the lower portion of a stopper rod assembly;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

" Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View through a modied form of a lower portion of a stopper rod assembly.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-6 of Fig. 5.

' Fig. 7 is a sectional view through a modified form of a stopper head.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2, a stopper rod assembly is generally designated by the reference character 13. The assembly I0 includes a vertical operating rod having a threaded end portion i2, said end portion I2 extending through an operating lever I3 and being connected thereto by means of nuts I4.

The operating rod II is enclosed within a plurality of axially adjacent refractory sleeves I5. The refractory sleeves I5 may be made of a irangible material such as4 fire clay and each includes a bore I6. The lower end of the rod I I is enclosed by means of a lower or bottom refractory sleeve i1. The sleeve I1 includes an upper section of uniform diameter I3 and a tapered section I9. The lower end of the tapered section I9 is provided with an annular skirt 20.

The lower end of the refractory sleeve I1 is provided with a recess 2|. The recess 2| is in communication at its upper end with a bore 22, said bore being of larger diameter than the bore le of the sleeves I5 and |1. The bore 22 forms with the bore I6 a first inner annular shoulder 23. A tapered inner surface 24 is formed below the bore 22 and it in turn is in axial alignment with an enlarged bore 25'which provides an intermediate annular shoulder 26. A stopper head 21 is shown in Figs. l and 2. The stopper head 21 includes a lower rounded portion 23 and an upper portion in the form of a truncated cone 29. The upper .portion 29 extends into the recess 2| and an annular ledge 3B of said stopper head 21 is in abutting engagement with the intermediate shoulder 25. The stopper head 21 is provided with a centrally positioned bore 3 l. The bore 3| is generally of the same diameter as the bore I6 of the refractories. A bore 32 of larger diameter than the bore 3i is in axial alignment with, and provided at the lower portion of the head 21. The bores 3| and 32 form with each other a second annular inner shoulder 33.

The rod has a lower portion extending downwardly through the boresV IB and 3|. The

lower tip of the rod extends below the second annular shoulder 33. A -pair of vertically spaced horizontally or laterally extending openings 34 and 35 are provided in the lowerrends of the rod il. below the shoulder 273 and the opening 35is positioned below the shoulder 33. In order to properly support the refractory sleeves on the operating rod I |,`a washer or annular bearing member 33 is positioned below and in immediate abutment with the shoulder 23. Therrod |I extends through this washer 33 and a pin 31 extends laterally outwardly through the opening 34 and engages the lower edges of the washer 36. Since the bearing member or washer 36 is seated upon the pin 31, the refractories are thus maintained on the rod. A pair of washers or spacer members 38 are positioned immediately below the pin 31. The spacer members 38 suitably space the pin 31 from the upper end of the head 21. The'operating rod, as previously mentioned, extends below the shoulder 33 and apin 39extends laterallyY or transversely outwardly with respect to saidrod. A lower bearing member or washer 40 is seated upon the pin 39l and this bearing member or washer i3 is in operative engagement with the second annular' shoulder 33.

A plug 4| seals the bore 32, this plug 4| being generally made of graphite cement; As best shown in Fig. 1 the pouring nozzle 42, generally of lire clay, is provided with a valve seat 43. The pouring nozzle has a discharge orifice M and is provided at its lower end with a tapered section engageable with a portion of the ladle 46.

During the assembly of the stopper rod assembly II, the head 21 is rst shoved over the end of the rod I I until the rod projects outwardly beyond the bore 321. At this point a washer or bearing member 4B is threaded over the rod and a pin 39 is driven through the transverse opening 33 thereby maintaining the lower bearing member or washer member 'lilon saidv rod. The rod I i is now moved until the bearing member 43 is in abutting bearing relation with the shoulder' 33. The next step in the assembly is to thread the washers 38 over the upper uni'as- The opening 3d is positioned immediatelyY ausente 5,y tened end `oi the rod II. After the washers or `spacerszhave thus been placed on the rod II,' the vpin 31 isthus driven through .the openingt. ,The thickness of the washers 58 or spacers is `so predetermined `that upon the insertion. of 'the pin-'31 the head 21y issecurely hel-d between the pinsy 31 and 39. The lower refractory or bottom sleeve I1 is thereupon threaded over the rod II and thelinner `surfaces of the recess 2| are coated .vithalre-proof .cement whereupon the bottom `sleeve is pressed into mating or telescoping relation with the head 21. In this position, as best Shown in Fig. 2, it should be noted that the inner annular shoulder 23 is in abutting engagement with the bearing or washer member 36. The other reiractories may thereupon be threaded ontothe rod I I, a suitable refractory cement being cemented `between the ends of each Vof the re# lfractories in order to eliminate possible entrance of the'molten metal between the joints of the refractories. After the rod has thus' been assembled, a graphite cement is poured into the opening 3?. for producing the plug 4I to seal the opening.

It can now he seen that a novel stopper rod assembly has been provided which will clearly achieve the objects set forth above. By the construction shown, the weight of the refractories is for the major part supported on the pin 31 which projects laterally outwardly of the rod I I. In this manner the stresses occasioned by the weight'o the refractoriesand the pressure of the molten metal are not completely carried by the graphite head or plug which must perform the important function of sealing the orifice of the ladle. The graphite head 21 is also rigidly secured t-o the rod by means of the pin 351 and the washer or bearing member Ml. The washer or. bearing members 35 and Ail serve `to equalize the pressures on the surfacesof thepins 31 and 39, thereby Yreducing the possibility'V of fracture of the sleeve or graphite head. In the event that-finelten metal seeps `into the recessof the sleeve or bores of the head and therebydestroys a portion of the lower end of4 the rod itA would be a simple expedient to merely cut off the deformed section immediately below the upper v'transverse opening 34. VIn orderV to repair this rod for subsequentuseyall theoperator must then do is to drill a similar opening .a spaced distance above the remaining opening. It should be clear therefore that the two transversely extending openings are again provided and the rod may be re-used. In a rod of this type it is not necessary to perform expensive machining operations and all that may be required is the drilling of a single hole in order to prepare the rod for re-use. It is less likely that the graphite head 21 will become displaced or broken away from the lower end of the rod, since a positive and permanent connection has been provided. A rod construction of this type can clearly be re-used in an inexpensive and efficient manner.

Figures 5 and 6 show a modified form of the invention. In order to minimize the conditions under which the molten metal may seep into contact with the rod, and in order to secure a more satisfactory stopper head, it is desirable to make the head with an iinperforate or solid lower portion. In. the modified form of the invention shown a head 5o includes a lower rounded portion 5I, said portion being imperforate or solid. An upper portion 52 projects upwardly into the recess 2i in the same manner as the head 21. The head 5i) is provided with an axially extending bore 53 which tis intersected'by a cylindricalspace 54. The space 54 'is'.of larger diameter-'than the bore `53 `and Vtherefore provides `an undercut shoulder 55. The bore 53 Yis falso provided 'with a pair of axially extending :opposed recesses-56 which extend the length ofthe bore.

It: is `oi prime importance to note how this construction facilitates assembly of the parts. The'member .36 is threaded onto the rod. IThereupon `the spacers 3B` are threaded onto the rod and thepin 39 :is-inserted .into opening 35. 4The pin-39 projects outwardlyfrom the rod II. -The lower endof the rod is :inserted into the bore :53 and the -pin 39 slides axially downwardly inthe .recesses 56 until the pin is within the cylindrical space. The mechanic {then-rotates the rod,or head., lapproximately ninety degrees, whereupon the pin 39 engages the undercut shoulder. The operator now slips the washers 38 into abut ment with the head. He then inserts pin 31 through the opening 341whereupon the head is tightly and securely locked to the rod. Suitable iire-proof cement vhas'previouslynbeen poured into the head `to-.rnoduce a` `tight joint betweenthe head. and the lower end of the rod.

The .head is .now rigidly secured tothe rod and the solid lower portion of Vthe head prevents the possibility of molten` metal` entering and destroying the lower endlof the rod. In view `of this construction ahead of greater durability is pro.- vided `and expensiveoperations are eliminated by the novel .means of connecting `the hea-dto .the rod.

.'Fig. 7 is anothermodied showing of the stopper head 5B. In this showing ametal washer or bearing member. `SII is positioned againstthe undercut 'shouldera The washer 6i!` provides a hard wearing surface for the pin" 39. 'The washer f5!) is formed integrally with the head 5D during its manufacture, the head generally being cast. The washer 'BIJ therefore may be cast into the head whereupon it is securelyxed to the shoulder portion 55, or if the head ismade in several parts, the washer may be cemented to theshoulder portion` 55. lSince the metal washer is of a substantially harder material 'than the head, a good `wearing surf-ace for .the pin 39 is provided.

It is to be understood'that preferred and modined embodiments of the invention have been shown and various changes and other inodiiications may be made which do not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed nor the scope thereof as dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a, ladle stopper having `an operating rod enclosed within a plurality of refractory sleeves; the combination therewith of a refractory bottom sleeve having a centrally disposed enlarged recess at its lower end providing an annular shoulder. a stopper head having an upper portion engaging .the recess of said bottom sleeve in mating relation and having a portion projecting outwardly from the recess, said stopper head including a centrally disposed bore telescopingly engaged by the lower end of said operating rod, means securing the bottom sleeve and said stopper head to said operating rod including a, first washer threaded on the rod and abutting the annular shoulder, an upper removable pin extending transversely through the rod, said upper pin engaging the washer in supporting relation, a second washer threaded on the rod, said washer being positioned between the upper pin and the upper portion of said stopper head, and a lower pin removably connected to said operating rod,

said pinv projecting transversely outwardly from yenclosed within a plurality of refractory sleeves;

the combination therewith of a, refractory bottom sleeve having a centrally disposed enlargedrecess at its lower end providing ariannular shoulder, a stopper head having an upper portion engaging the recess of said bottom sleeve in mating relation and having a Vportion projecting outwardly from the recess, said stopper head including a, centrally disposed bore telescoping'ly engaged by the lower end of saidV operating rod, means securing the bottom sleeve and said stopper head to said operating rod including a first-washer threaded on the rod andabutting the annular shoulder, an upper removable pin extending transversely through the rod, said upper pin engaging the washer inV supporting relation, and a lower pin removably connected to said operating rod, said pin projecting transversely outwardly from thef'rod for engaging said stopper head.

3. In a, ladle stopper having an operating rod enclosed within a plurality of refractory sleeves, the rod having upper and lower transversely extending openings at its'lower end; the combination therewith of a refractory bottom sleeve having an enlarged recess at its lower end providing a shoulder, a stopper head having a, rst portion engaging the recess of said bottom sleeve in mating relation and having a second portion projecting outwardly from the recess, said stopper head including a bore telescopingly engaged by the lower end of said operating rod, means securing the bottom sleeveand said stopper head to said operating rod including an upper removable pin positioned in the upper opening of said rod, said piny having a portion extending outwardly of the rod for engaging the shoulder of said bottom sleeve in supporting relation, and a, lower pin positioned within the lower opening of the rod, said pin having a portion projecting outwardly of the rod for engaging a portion of the head in supportthe rod having a transversely extending opening adjacent its lower end; the combination therewith of a refractory bottom sleeve having an'enlarged recess at its lower end providing a, shoulder, a stopper head having an upper portion engaging the recess of said bottom sleeve in mating ,relation and a lower portion projecting outwardly from the recess, said stopper head including a bore telescopingly engaged by the lower end of said operating rod, means securing the bottom sleeve to said operating rod including a pin removably positioned in the transverse opening of the rod, said pin having a portion projecting outwardly of the rod for engaging the shoulder of the bottom sleeve in supporting relation, and sup.- porting means between the stopper head and the rod for connecting said head to the lower end o said rod.Y

5. In a ladle stopper having an operating rod enclosed withinv a plurality of refractory sleeves, the rod having a transverse opening adjacent its lower end; the combination therewith of a refractory bottom sleeve having ,a recess at its lower end, a stopper head having a first portion engaging the recess of said bottom sleeve in mating relation and having a second portion projecting outwardly from the recess, said stopper head including a bore telescopingly engaged by the lower end of said operating rod, means for securing the stopper head to said rod including a lower pin connected to said rod, said pin'having a portion projecting outwardly of the rod for engaging the stopper head, and an upper pin removably positioned within the transverse opening of said rod, said'pin having a, portion projecting outwardly of the rod for engaging the rst portion of said stopper head in secure supporting relation.

STEPHEN CIESLAK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thele of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

